Children talking in a schoolbus

Belton Prep News

Why Classical?

May 18th, 2022 by admin

An open book laying on a desk in a libarary

Belton Preparatory Academy provides a unique experience through classical education. Why is a classical approach to education a great choice for childhood education?

While it may be a new concept for many parents, classical education is actually an ancient method based on Greek and Roman principles of education. And it was employed in the early days of American history. There are a few guiding tenets that make an education “classical.” Here are some of them:

Study of humanities

History, Language, Literature, Philosophy, Art and STEM are foundational to the curriculum. As they advance, students are encouraged to find the connections between the disciplines, instead of viewing them as separate subjects.

Three part system of teaching called the trivium.

The trivium is based on age. It focuses on specific methods of instruction that are best suited for each age group. Early childhood education focuses on learning facts and memorization. This is called the Grammar Stage. The facts and language they memorize will become foundational to later understanding of the subjects. Middle age children learn the “why” behind the facts they learned in earlier years. This is called the Logic Stage. They discover the meanings behind the words they have already memorized. And finally, High School age kids focus mainly on the process of thinking. This is called the Rhetoric Stage. Students are encouraged to make their own discoveries and connections based on what they learn.

There is space for morality.

The goal of a classical education is to teach students to become scholars, instead of learning specific subjects. The classical approach often includes a character component that teaches ethics, self-discipline, taking positive risks, collaboration, accountability, good citizenship, and the pursuit of truth.

Belton Preparatory Academy is a tuition-free charter school that gives students access to a classical education. For more information, contact us today!

Posted in: Charter School, Education